Entolasia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent (1), or short (4), or elongated (1). Culms erect (2/5), or geniculately ascending (3/5), or decumbent (3/5), or rambling (2/5); 5–72.5–200 cm long; firm (3), or wiry (3); without nodal roots (2/3), or rooting from lower nodes (3/3). Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades persistent (4), or deciduous at the ligule (2); linear (5), or lanceolate (3); stiff (3), or firm (3). Leaf-blade midrib indistinct (2/3), or evident (1/3). Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous (5/5).

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; erect (4), or ascending (2); unilateral; bearing 2 fertile spikelets on each (3/4), or 3–4 fertile spikelets on each (4/4), or 5–10 fertile spikelets on each (3/4), or 11–12 fertile spikelets on each (2/4), or 13–14 fertile spikelets on each (1/4). Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing adaxial (5/5); 2 -rowed (5/5).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform (1/5), or linear (4/5).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate (1), or elliptic (5); dorsally compressed; 2.2–3.537–6.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets (1), or exceeding apex of florets (5); thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate (4), or oblate (2); hyaline (2), or membranous (4); without keels; 0–1 -veined (3). Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface without pits. Lower glume apex obtuse (1), or acute (5), or acuminate (1). Upper glume lanceolate (1), or elliptic (4), or ovate (1); 1–1.066–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous (2), or herbaceous (4); without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous (2). Upper glume apex obtuse (1), or acute (5).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic (4), or ovate (2); membranous (2), or herbaceous (4); 5 -veined (5/5); obtuse (1), or acute (5). Fertile lemma elliptic (4), or oblong (2); dorsally compressed; coriaceous; without keel; wingless; 5 -veined (5/5). Lemma lateral veins obscure (5/5). Lemma surface unwrinkled; without grooves; pubescent. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse (4), or acute (3). Palea involute; coriaceous; 2 -veined (5/5). Palea surface glabrous (1), or pubescent (5).

FRUIT Caryopsis oblong (1/1).

DISTRIBUTION Africa (2), or Tropical Asia (2), or Australasia (4), or Pacific (1).

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.